Author Archives: johnrachel

Life In Japan: Excellence Begins Young

Posted on April 27, 2023 by johnrachel

My wife Masumi loves to show me success stories she comes across, examples of how the educational system in Japan serves the real needs of students and doesn’t abandon its core mission by pandering to the latest technological fads. We have here two such examples. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Time Machine

Posted on April 14, 2023 by johnrachel

Over the course of our courtship and marriage, we’ve been all over Japan, from Hokkaido in the north — a stone’s throw from Russia — all the way down to Hateruma, the southernmost island in Okinawa — a stone’s throw from Taiwan. Even so, there was one place 13 hours west of us by car, we yet had to visit. NAGASAKI! We finally made it. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life In Japan: Nagasaki Streetcars

Posted on April 10, 2023 by johnrachel

You can leave your heart in San Francisco. No problem. Just come to Nagasaki! They have streetcars, no homeless, and nobody is packing a gun. Continue reading →

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People Power – Part 4: The Peace Dividend Strategy

Posted on March 25, 2023 by johnrachel

The Peace Dividend strategy is a practical plan for achieving a very specific goal. That goal is regime change in Washington DC, i.e. replacing the pro-war, pro-Wall Street, anti-democratic, power-drunk megalomaniacs now in control, with individuals who reflect the real values and priorities of real people living real lives. Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Democracy, Peace Dividend, Political Analysis, Political Rant, Revolution, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Sweet It Is!

Posted on March 21, 2023 by johnrachel

Making America safe as a positive force in the world requires eliminating the threat from within.
Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Deconstruction, Nihilism, Satire, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Food … Fixation Obsession Celebration

Posted on March 17, 2023 by johnrachel

Why are Japanese, as obsessed as they are with food and eating, so svelte? Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Food, Japan, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Matthew Hoh Interview (Video): An Objective Look at U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted on February 12, 2023 by johnrachel

Most recently and most admirably, Matthew Hoh ran this past election cycle for Senate, representing North Carolina. His bid was unsuccessful for the usual reasons, chiefly among them big money in politics. But I suspect there was another decisive factor. … Continue reading →

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Margaret Kimberley Interview (Video): An Objective Look at U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted on February 10, 2023 by johnrachel

“Hegemons don’t have friends”, notes Margaret Kimberley. “They only have enemies and vassals.” That’s why the U.S. in its attempt to rule the world is becoming so disrespected and despised — and of course distrusted and feared. Margaret Kimberley doesn’t hold back one iota in this thought-provoking interview. Continue reading →

Posted in Corporatism, Deconstruction, Democracy, Political Analysis, Revolution, Social Commentary, Video Blog, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

William J. Astore Interview (Video): An Objective Look at U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted on February 8, 2023 by johnrachel

As a former Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, William J. Astore knows the military. He’s seen how the closed loop of the DOD and the commercial defense industries has exponentially grown and now disproportionately determines the priorities and direction of America’s dealings with the rest of the world. Continue reading →

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Scott Ritter Interview (Video): An Objective Look at U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted on February 6, 2023 by johnrachel

Here we look at the realities of the international power struggle unfolding in real time, specifically addressing the role of the U.S. in the tensions, and its capacity to reduce them. We hope to discover paradigm-shift ideas for improving the prospects for peace. Today’s interview focuses on five questions. Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Economics, Political Analysis, Revolution, Social Commentary, Video Blog, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment